presence
Americannoun
-
presences
plural
-
the state or fact of being present, as with others or in a place.
- Antonyms:
- absence
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attendance or company.
Your presence is requested.
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immediate vicinity; proximity.
in the presence of witnesses.
- Synonyms:
- neighborhood
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the military or economic power of a country as reflected abroad by the stationing of its troops, sale of its goods, etc..
the American military presence in Europe;
the Japanese presence in the U.S. consumer market.
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Chiefly British. the immediate personal vicinity of a great personage giving audience or reception.
summoned to her presence.
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the ability to project a sense of ease, poise, or self-assurance, especially the quality or manner of a person's bearing before an audience.
The speaker had a good deal of stage presence.
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personal appearance or bearing, especially of a dignified or imposing kind.
a man of fine presence.
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a person, especially of noteworthy appearance or compelling personality.
He is a real presence, even at a private party.
-
a divine or supernatural spirit felt to be present.
He felt a presence with him in the room.
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British Obsolete. presence chamber.
noun
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the state or fact of being present
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the immediate proximity of a person or thing
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personal appearance or bearing, esp of a dignified nature
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an imposing or dignified personality
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an invisible spirit felt to be nearby
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electronics a recording control that boosts mid-range frequencies
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(of a recording) a quality that gives the impression that the listener is in the presence of the original source of the sound
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obsolete assembly or company
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obsolete short for presence chamber
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of presence
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin praesentia; see present 1, -ence
Explanation
Presence is the state of being somewhere. When you get an invitation that reads "Your presence is requested,” you are being asked to show up. Your style of being there — your demeanor or bearing — is also your presence. Usually, presence is a physical thing. Since the 1600s, the word has also meant something otherwordly, a spiritual or divine presence. If you suddenly feel a weird presence in the room, perhaps it's a ghost . . . or just the cat. Use the phrase "presence of mind" to indicate when someone is quick-witted or just paying attention. While your job washing skyscraper windows doesn't require a lot of brain work, it's a good idea to keep your presence of mind while working.
Vocabulary lists containing presence
Vocabulary from "Community is the 'killer app' missing from virtual reality" by Dmitri Williams
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Vocabulary from "There Will Never Be an Age of Artificial Intimacy," by Sherry Turkle
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Beowulf vocabulary
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
A police spokesperson confirmed inquiries in the area remained ongoing, and there was an increased emergency presence.
From BBC ● Aug. 10, 2026
Their presence gives “The Terminal Crew of Dudes” an intimacy that feels less like a comedy special and more like friends jamming and trying to make each other laugh.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 10, 2026
Beyond its role as a major creditor, China has built a broad economic presence in Zambia, with interests spanning copper mining, roads, airports, power projects and industrial parks.
From Barron's ● Aug. 10, 2026
Only one meteorite was recovered, largely because it made its presence impossible to miss by striking a house.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 8, 2026
He found his wife convinced that she was speaking to an invisible presence from beyond the grave.
From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock
In recent decades, global companies like Michelin and BMW have established presences in Greenville.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 9, 2026
But smaller firms without global presences will be out of luck.
From Barron's ● Oct. 23, 2025
Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico have been constant presences in the Champions League, Sevilla have dominated the Europa League, Villarreal triumphed in 2021, and even the Conference League has seen Spanish representation with Real Betis.
From BBC ● Sep. 7, 2025
Big names in fashion such as American Apparel and Forever 21 have had major presences in the area.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 14, 2025
I could sense its presence ... or maybe two presences.
From "The Last Olympian" by Rick Riordan
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
